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North Korea to Sign Seaport, Trade Agreement With Cambodia

Cambodia expects to sign agreements on seaports and trade with North Korea in November, Foreign Ministry officials said Thursday.

The agreements are expected to follow the visit of North Korea Prime Minister Kim Yong Il, no relation to the country's "supreme leader" Kim Jong Il.

In a four-day visit beginning Nov. 1, Kim is expected to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen and other top political and commerce leaders.

North Korea has close ties with Cambodia, stemming from the relationship between former North Korea president Kim Il Sung and former Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk, who maintains a palace in the reclusive socialist country.

In separate develops Thursday, officials said they expected Sihanouk to return to Beijing—where he also has a residence—following the Water Festival next month to receive medical treatment.

Arriving in Phnom Penh this week was an assistant to Michiel Pestman, the Dutch attorney of jailed Khmer Rouge ideologue Nuon Chea, who began work with Cambodian lawyer Son Arun on the former regime leader's defense.